week, MIRIAM EKENE-OKORO examines the journey so far and the challenges that the
administration would encounter on the last lap of the race.
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has made a remarkable impact on
governance. The speed at which he is delivering dividends of democracy, as his
second term is about to end, shows that he is desirous of leaving an enduring legacy.
Seven years ago, when the mantle of leadership fell on him, he was underrated by
many skeptics. The lawyer-turned politician was determined to leave an indelible
mark. He was burning with a passion to excel. Armed with the 10-point agenda,
Fashola took the bull by the horn.
The first major reform of the governor in 2007 was in the area of security. Day in day
out, criminal activities were reported across the metropolis. More worrisome was the
persistent cases of bank robbery. The situation was of great concern to the governor,
who wanted to create a conducive atmosphere for investment. For this reason, he
noted that there was the need to provide support to security agencies to combat crime.
Thus, Fashola initiated the Safe City Project, which later metamorphosed into the
establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). This platform, driven
by public-private partnership, became a mobilising force for corporate organisations
and individuals to provide equipment and resources for security agencies. This
approach, observers acknowledged, was a pragmatic response to the operational
deficiency of the police and other security agencies.
LSSTF operations were backed by the law. On September 3, 2007, the Lagos State
House of Assembly passed a law that was assented to by the governor on security.
The legislation institutionalised an enduring public – private partnership approach to
security.
The main objective of the Trust Fund is to solicit for donations to the fund for the
acquisition and deployment of security equipment, and human, material and financial
resources for its effective functioning.
The fund is also meant for the training and welfare of security personnel to get
optimum results.
The collective investment in crime prevention has led to a lower crime rates in the
state. Now, foreign missions have keyed into the process. Foreign aids have come
from the Consul-General of Lebanon, Mrs. Dima Haddad, who recently donated N80
million to the fund.
So far, the government has made judicious use of the fund. It has constantly provided
patrol vehicles, motor bikes, bullet proof vests and other equipment to the police to
combat crime.
The government has also been applauded for its effort towards infrastructural renewal
in the state. Roads and bridges have been constructed across the three senatorial
zones.
Legal scholar Prof. Itse Sagay, in his paper; ‘Phenomenon and the future of Nigeria’,
explained that Fashola, while building on the legacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
established a modern, enlightened democratic and civilised state and society in Lagos
under the rule of law.
According to Sagay: “Quite rightly, emphasis and considerable attention have been
devoted to the infrastructural and physical development, transformation, indeed
revolution, Fashola and his predecessor have deployed in changing the face of Lagos
State, and the standard of life enjoyed by its people.
“The people of Lagos are beneficiaries of this physical transformation which has
introduced, so to speak, ‘another life’, in Lagos.”
Among these projects are the construction of the 10-lane Okokomaiko-Marina
expressway, with its light rail component, the Ikoyi-Lekki cable bridge, the
beautification of Lagos, with the establishment of parks and gardens in former area
boys-infested locations, the reconstruction of public facilities, including the City Hall
and the Freedom Park, have all contributed to restore Lagos to its glory.
The education sector has been defended by the government. Fashola has invested
heavily in the rehabilitation and construction of new blocks of classrooms in public
schools. The distribution of free text books, provision of well-equipped laboratories and
libraries, provision of buses for teachers to ease transportation problems, re-launch of
uniformed voluntary organisations in public schools, and the implementation of
Teachers’ Salary Scale (TSS) the impact has also been enormous.
Similar feat was recorded in the tertiary institutions, with the revamping of technical
colleges and massive development of infrastructure at Lagos State University (LASU).
However, the hike in the school fees LASU has continued to generate controversy. The
disagreement over the policy has disrupted academic activities in the school. But, the
government has assured that it will soon come up with a new pronouncement on the
issue the stakeholders.
The government has also scored a pass mark in the beatification of the environment,
agriculture and transportation.
For a state with about 20 million dwellers, effective transportation model is very
important. Thus, the Fashola-led government launched the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
scheme to effectively address the challenges.
The success of this scheme has attracted the attention of other states and the
Ghanaian government, which sent a delegation to understudy the scheme, with the aim
of replicating it.
One key feature of the governance is the 100-day commemoration. It has offered
opportunities for feedback. Although it is criticised by the opposition, government
insists that the intention is to relay its programmes and achievements to the people.
At the recent celebration of 2,500 days in office, Fashola explained that the evidence
of the budget performance reflects in the number of projects completed and services
rendered.
He listed the projects within that period to include Kodesoh and Simbiat Abiola Roads,
Isapako-dowo market, Oshodi to resettle those relocated from the Oshodi Rail line and
the Aka Bashorun Memorial Park, the 4-storey, 110-bed Maternal and Child Health
Centre, Amuwo and the dualised Alaba Cemetery Road, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and the
bridge linking Ajao Estate and Ejigbo together.
He said the government also started the issuance of the Electronic Certificate of
Occupancy and launched the Lagos Home Ownership Scheme (HOMS) project, a
strategic intervention to deliver housing to citizens on a minimum of a 10-year
mortgage and a maximum interest of 9.5 per cent.
“We were at Iba to hand over a block of 12 classrooms, while a public spirited citizen,
Chief Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, donated an 18-classroom block in Sabo Oniba, Ojo.
“On the same day, our water transportation received a boost in the rural and riverine
areas of Ojo and Ijegun Egba with the handing over of two new ferry terminals and
support services to ease transportation along that corridor,” Fashola said.
But, one of the challenges that will confront the administration is the completion of the
on-going projects in many sectors.
As the battle for who succeeds him hots up among contenders, the next governor will
be stepping into a big shoe. News source the nation
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